Supporting device for a mobile apparatus

ABSTRACT

A supporting device is adapted for supporting a mobile apparatus thereon. The mobile apparatus is supported at an inline on the supporting device. The supporting device includes a base and a first supporting element. The base has two first lateral surfaces spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and two second lateral surfaces spaced apart from each other in a second direction. The first supporting element is connected to the base and has a supporting surface. The first supporting element is convertible from a storage state toward a supporting state, where one of the first lateral surfaces and the supporting surface cooperate with each other to support a connecting section of the mobile apparatus thereon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 101205623, filed on Mar. 28, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a supporting device, more particularly to a supporting device for a mobile apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a result of technological advancement, modern life has become increasingly convenient. Tablet computers have become increasingly popular due to their lightweight, compact, and portable design. In addition, the capabilities of tablet computers have also been expanding, now allowing users to watch videos, browse the Internet, play interactive computer games, read electronic books, etc.

When being operated by a user, a tablet computer is generally held and supported by a user's hand. After operating the tablet computer for an extended period of time, inevitably, the user's hand or arm will suffer from fatigue, and so the user often sets the tablet computer down on a flat surface to continue using the tablet computer. However, because the tablet computer lies directly against the flat surface, the angle of inclination may not be ergonomic during use, causing the user to tire after using the tablet computer for an extended period of time.

Additionally, as the market for tablet computers has expanded, so has the market for tablet computer accessories, such as mobile power supplies, chargers, earphones, styluses, etc. The small size of these accessories often results in disorganization and tangling among the wires of the accessories during transportation thereof. Thus, access to these accessories is often inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a supporting device for supporting a mobile apparatus at an inclined position.

Accordingly, a supporting device is adapted for supporting a mobile apparatus thereon. The mobile apparatus is to be supported at an inline on the supporting device and has a connecting section that is to be connected to the supporting device. The supporting device comprises:

-   -   a base having two first lateral surfaces that are spaced apart         from each other in a first direction, and two second lateral         surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in a second         direction perpendicular to the first direction; and     -   a first supporting element connected to the base and having a         supporting surface, the first supporting element being         convertible from a storage state toward a supporting state,         where one of the first lateral surfaces and the supporting         surface cooperate with each other to support the connecting         section of the mobile apparatus thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a supporting device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the first embodiment supporting a mobile apparatus thereon;

FIG. 5 is another assembled perspective view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is still another perspective view of the first embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a partly exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the supporting device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the first embodiment of a supporting device according to the invention is suitable for supporting a mobile apparatus 11 thereon. The mobile apparatus 11 is to be supported at an incline on the supporting device and has a connecting section 12 for connection to the supporting device. In this embodiment, the mobile apparatus 11 is configured as a tablet computer.

With additional reference to FIG. 6, the base 2 is formed as a rectangular prism, and includes a hollow main body 27 and a cover member 28. The hollow main body 27 has two opposite first lateral surfaces 21 spaced apart from each other in a first direction (Y) and two opposite second lateral surfaces 22 spaced apart from each other in a second direction (X) that is perpendicular to the first direction (Y).

In this embodiment, the hollow main body 27 further has four accommodating spaces 24 formed respectively in the first and second lateral surfaces 21, 22. The hollow main body 27 is formed with an opening 26 for receiving accessories of the mobile apparatus (not shown) for storage in the hollow main body 27, and the cover member 28 covers removably the opening 26.

The hollow main body 27 has a first length (L1) in the first direction (Y), a second length (L2) in the second direction (X) and a third length (L3) in a third direction (Z) which is perpendicular to the first and second directions (Y, X). In this embodiment, the third length (L3) is shorter than the first and second lengths (L1, L2).

In this embodiment, the supporting device further comprises a pair of first supporting elements 3 and a pair of second supporting elements 3′. The first supporting elements 3 are separately and pivotally mounted to an adjacent pair of the first and second lateral surfaces 21, 22 of the hollow main body 27. The second supporting elements 3′ are separately and pivotally mounted to another adjacent pair of the first and second lateral surfaces 21, 22 of the hollow main body 27. One of the first supporting elements 3 is connected to an edge of one of the first lateral surfaces 21, while one of the second supporting elements 3′ is connected to an edge of the other one of the first lateral surfaces 21 that is aligned with the one of the first lateral surfaces 21 in the first direction (Y). The other one of the first supporting elements 3 is connected to an edge of one of the second lateral surfaces 22, while the other one of the second supporting elements 3′ is connected to an edge of the other one of the second lateral surfaces 22 that is aligned with the one of the second lateral surfaces 22 in the second direction (X). Each of the first supporting elements 3 has a supporting portion 31 formed with a supporting surfaces 310, and a step portion 33 extending perpendicularly form a distal edge of the supporting portion 31. Each of the second supporting elements 3′ has a bottom surface 310′. In this embodiment, each of the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ further has an engaging slot 32, and the hollow main body 27 further has a plurality of engaging members 25 for engaging respectively and removably the engaging slots 32.

Each of the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ is convertible between a storage state (see FIGS. 3 and 6) and a supporting state (see FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5). Before use, the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ are at the storage state, and are accommodated respectively in the accommodating spaces 24 and are respectively flush with the corresponding first and second lateral surfaces 21, 22. At this time, the engaging slots 32 of the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ are engaged respectively with the engaging members 25 for maintaining the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ at the storage state.

In addition to being able to accommodate accessories, the present invention is also able to provide three supporting angle positions for the mobile apparatus 11. When the user chooses to use the third length (L3) as the support height, the base 2 is positioned as in FIG. 6 and placed beneath the connecting section 12 of the mobile apparatus 11.

When the user chooses to use the first length (L1) as the support height, the base 2 is positioned as in FIGS. 2 to 4 with one of the first supporting elements 3 being disposed over one of the second supporting elements 3′. Then, the vertically opposite first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ are flipped to move from the storage state to the supporting state so that the supporting surface 310 of the upper one of the first supporting elements 3 is coplanar with the corresponding one of the first lateral surfaces 21 and cooperates with the corresponding one of the first lateral surfaces 21 to support the connecting section 12 of the mobile apparatus 11 thereon. The stop portion 33 of the upper one of the first supporting elements 3 abuts against an edge of the connecting section 12 to prevent the mobile apparatus 11 from slipping off of the base 2 (see FIG. 4). In the meantime, the bottom surface 310′ of the lower one of the second supporting elements 3′ is coplanar with the opposite one of the first lateral surfaces 21, thereby increasing contact area between the base 2 and a flat surface on which the supporting device of this embodiment is placed, and enhancing stability of the supporting device during use.

When the user chooses to use the second length (L2) as the support height, the base 2 is positioned as in FIG. 5 and placed beneath the connecting section 12 of the mobile apparatus 11. The now vertically opposite first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ are flipped to the supporting state in the abovementioned manner.

After use, the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ may be flipped back to the storage state with the engaging members 25 engaging the respective engaging slots 32.

As such, the supporting device of the present invention as described above achieves the following advantages and functionalities:

-   -   1. The present invention uses the different lengths (L1, L2, L3)         to provide three different supporting angle positions for the         mobile apparatus 11, each of which may be chosen by the user to         suit different requirements, and is thus ergonomic and         convenient to use.     -   2. The present invention uses the respective one of the second         supporting portions 31 at a top of the base 2 to increase the         contact area with the connecting section 12 of the mobile         apparatus 11. The stop portion 33 of each first supporting         element 3 prevents the mobile apparatus 11 from slipping off of         the base 2. The second supporting portions 3′ can be used to         increase the contact area with a flat surface on which the base         2 is placed to increase stability of the base 2 and prevent the         base 2 from tipping over.     -   3. When the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ are at         the storage state, they are respectively received in the         accommodating spaces 24 and are flush with the corresponding         first and second lateral surfaces 21, 22, thereby creating a         smooth outward appearance and allowing for convenient         portability. Additionally, the user may open the cover member 28         to access accessories, such as mobile power supplies, earphones,         and styluses, stored in the hollow main body 27. Not only is the         supporting device small and portable, it also facilitates         transporting accessories for the mobile apparatus 11.

Referring to FIG. 7, a second preferred embodiment of the supporting device according to the present invention is shown to be substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment. The difference between the first and second preferred embodiments resides in the following. In this embodiment, the cover member 28 is formed with a plurality of engaging holes 280. Each of the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ has a pair of connecting portions 34 projecting from the supporting portion 31 for removable insertion into two of the engaging holes 280 when the one of the first and second supporting elements 3, 3′ is at the supporting state. The second preferred embodiment retains all of the advantages and functionalities as the first preferred embodiment.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A supporting device adapted for supporting a mobile apparatus thereon, the mobile apparatus to be supported at an inline on said supporting device and having a connecting section that is to be connected to said supporting device, said supporting device comprising: a base having two first lateral surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and two second lateral surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a first supporting element connected to said base and having a supporting surface, said first supporting element being convertible from a storage state toward a supporting state, where one of said first lateral surfaces and said supporting surface cooperate with each other to support the connecting section of the mobile apparatus thereon.
 2. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one of said first lateral surfaces of said base and said supporting surface of said first supporting element are coplanar with each other when said supporting element is at the supporting state.
 3. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base is formed as a rectangular prism and has a first length in the first direction, a second length in the second direction and a third length in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the third length being shorter than the first and second lengths.
 4. The supporting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said first supporting element is connected to an edge of the one of said first lateral surfaces; and said supporting device further comprises a second supporting element connected to an edge of the other one of said first lateral surfaces that is aligned with said edge of said one of said first lateral surfaces in the first direction, and having a bottom surface that is coplanar with the other one of said first lateral surfaces.
 5. The supporting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second length of said base is not equal to the first length of said base.
 6. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first supporting element has a supporting portion formed with said supporting surfaces, and a stop portion extending from said second supporting portion for preventing the mobile apparatus from slipping off of said base when said first supporting element is at the supporting state.
 7. The supporting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said base further has an accommodating space formed in the one of said first lateral surfaces; said first supporting element is pivotally mounted to said base and is flippable between the supporting state and the storage state, said first supporting element being retained in said accommodating space and being flush with the one of said first lateral surfaces when said first supporting element is at the storage state.
 8. The supporting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said first supporting element further has an engaging slot; and said base further has an engaging member that engages removably said engaging slot for maintaining said first supporting element within said accommodating space when said first supporting element is at the storage state.
 9. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base includes a hollow main body that has said first and second lateral surfaces and that is formed with an opening, and a cover member that covers removably said opening.
 10. The supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said base further has an engaging hole; and said first supporting element has a supporting portion formed with said supporting surface, and a connecting portion extending from said supporting portion and inserted removably into said engaging hole. 